CNA News – CNA – Maria Koniotou – Nicosia 11/05/2018 12:07

Cyprus President eyes opportunity for talk’s resumption with dispatch of UN envoy

The intention expressed by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to send a special envoy to Cyprus for contacts with all parties involved is an opportunity to clarify the intentions of both sides and to achieve positive results, allowing for the immediate resumption of Cyprus talks, said the President of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiades. The President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic wished from his part to find a peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem and underlined the principled stance of Belgrade on this matter. Anastasiades met on Thursday evening with the Patriarch of Serbia, Irinej, who presented him with the highest honorary distinction of the Patriarchate.

Foreign Minister expresses full support to Belgrade’s EU accession course

Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides expressed on Thursday Cyprus’ full support to Belgrade’s EU accession course. Speaking after a meeting with his Serbian counterpart Ivica Dacic, in the sidelines of the official visit President Anastasiades paid to Belgrade, Christodoulides also conveyed the reediness of the Republic of Cyprus to provide material support to Serbia’s efforts to join the EU.

A reunified Cyprus can achieve even greater things, new UK High Commissioner says

A reunified Cyprus can achieve even greater things as a country, and so can our bilateral relationship, new UK High Commissioner to Cyprus Stephen Lillie said on Friday, adding that his country will support the process for a Cyprus settlement, “which is our duty as a guarantor power and permanent member of the Security Council, but which is even more so our wish as a friend of the Cypriot people.”

Presenting his credentials to Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, Lillie noted that “the British Government and I personally as High Commissioner will continue to support a just, democratic and lasting solution to the Cyprus issue.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Christodoulides has reaffirmed the governments support to the UN peacekeeping force (UNFICYP) efforts to effectively carry out its mandate, during a meeting he had on Friday morning with the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for peacekeeping operations, Bintou Keita, who is in Cyprus for a three-day visit. According to a Foreign MInistry press release, “during their meeting they discussed relations between the host government and UNFICYP, as well as the ongoing implementation of the Force’s strategic review, as mandated by the Security Council.”

Mavroyiannis and Zackheos inspect works for the opening of Lefka-Apliki crossing point

The negotiator of the Greek Cypriot side Andreas Mavroyiannis and the Greek Cypriot head of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Crossing Points, Sotos Zackheos, inspected on Thursday the works underway for the opening of Lefka-Apliki crossing point, in Nicosia district. Zackheos told CNA that “everything runs according to the time frame” that has been set out.

Road transport jumps in 2017

National and international road transport increased rapidly in 2017, according to data released on Thursday by the Statistical Service of Cyprus. For the period October-December 2017 national road transport regarding the total weight of goods transported, increased by 34,1%, compared to the corresponding period of 2016. International road transport increased by 36,2%, compared to the corresponding period of 2016.

Nicosia Environment and Recycling Festival 2018 to take place May 12

The eighth Nicosia “Environment and Recycling Festival” is taking place on May 12, at the Acropolis Park, in Strovolos town. The festival, organized by Green Dot Cyprus, aims to highlight how recycling contributes positively to protecting the environment and improving the quality of our life and health.